TEHRAN, Dec 17,  (V7N)- Malls and shopping centers in Tehran will close two hours earlier starting Tuesday as Iran grapples with severe energy shortages, local media reported.

The Tehran Chamber of Trade Unions and Guilds announced that shopping centers would now shut at 8:00 PM (1630 GMT) instead of 10:00 PM. Failure to comply will result in the cutoff of gas and electricity supplies, warned Hamidreza Rastegar, the head of the organization, as quoted by state TV.

Crisis Deepens Amid Sub-Zero Temperatures

The energy crisis has already caused frequent power cuts in the capital and nationwide closures of schools and businesses. Sub-zero temperatures across the country have further strained Iran’s energy grid, forcing authorities to ration gas and electricity.

On Tuesday, schools and public offices in more than half of Iran's 31 provinces were closed for the third consecutive day to manage fuel consumption, reported state news agency IRNA.

Energy Consumption Woes

Despite holding one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, Iran has been unable to meet energy demands, resulting in power plant shortages.

President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the nation's “very high” energy consumption, noting that Iran uses two to three times more electricity and gas than European countries.

Pezeshkian urged citizens to reduce reliance on heaters and wear warmer clothing as a means to conserve energy.

It remains unclear how long the new operating hours for malls will remain in place.

END/WD/RH